Dual action of apolipoprotein E-interacting HCCR-1 oncoprotein and its implication for breast cancer and obesity

J Cell Mol Med. 2009 Sep;13(9B):3868-75. doi: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2009.00652.x.

Abstract

Obese women have an increased risk for post-menopausal breast cancer. The physiological mechanism by which obesity contributes to breast tumourigenesis is not understood. We previously showed that HCCR-1 oncogene contributes to breast tumourigenesis as a negative regulator of p53 and detection of HCCR-1 serological level was useful for the diagnosis of breast cancer(.) In this study, we found that the HCCR-1 level is elevated in breast cancer tissues and cell lines compared to normal breast tissues. We identified apolipoprotein E (ApoE) interacting with HCCR-1. Our data show that HCCR-1 inhibits anti-proliferative effect of ApoE, which was mediated by diminishing ApoE secretion of breast cancer cells. Finally, HCCR-1 induced the severe obesity in transgenic mice. Those obese mice showed severe hyperlipidaemia. In conclusion, our results suggest that HCCR-1 might play a role in the breast tumourigenesis while the overexpression of HCCR-1 induces the obesity probably by inhibiting the cholesterol-lowering effect of ApoE. Therefore, HCCR-1 seems to provide the molecular link between the obesity and the breast cancer risk.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apolipoproteins E / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / methods
  • Obesity / metabolism*
  • Oncogene Proteins / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism

Substances

  • Apolipoproteins E
  • HCCR1 protein, mouse
  • LETMD1 protein, human
  • Oncogene Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Receptors, Cell Surface